Wisdom in Grace

Some times I envy my siblings. It's been so incredibly neat to be old enough to walk along side my family these last few years and watch the example of my parents as they grow in love for the God who sustains them, the family that surrounds them, and the saints who encourage them. But I'm not going to be around for the day to day blessings of watching Dad grow stronger or being one of the kids that gets to benefit from his restored clarity of thought and quick wit. Knowing that I have a piece of the puzzle that my siblings will never fully comprehend--being able to grow with my parents--and knowing that they in turn get to reap the benefits of parents that have so grown in grace as to permeate each nook and cranny of the home life, with that in mind I'm trying to close the gap a bit. I've been trying to give the kids a log of the journey, bits of stories, their reactions and concerns, and words of wisdom from our father. I'm sure they'll hear many more words of wisdom in the coming days, especially as they get older. But to highlight the duel joy and struggle of the journey may bring clarity to the parts of the story they will one day remember most.

"Good comes with God's timing, not ours. This often
tries our patience but never leaves us hopeless."

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I
have been fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12)

"Amy, you know what really melts a father's heart? It is to stop long enough to really see the love of his children for him. That's a treasure that can never be measured. It kind makes all of these hospital detours along with the pain and sickness worth while. Never under estimate the power of showing love and kindness to those you meet. The world will never understand it or have it to give."

"The majority of Christians feel that God never does great works in their life because he has never parted the Red Sea for them, delivered them through a world wide flood. They never stop to think about how they have never needed to cross the Red Sea on dry land to escape the entire Egyptian army, or that they have never faced a world wide flood. Your note on God working out your living and working arrangements reminded me of this. That is your Red Sea because that is Almighty God working in and through you, and to say that is no small thing is an understatement.

"I have had many times like that then he worked and whispered in my ear 'Yo, this is me', or something like that. We are made to enjoy him and do so greatfully. He is always working in our lives, it's a pleasure when we realize it."

"I was talking with Marcy...about life and its seeming complexities. We have seen God work so many times in our lives, and witnessed his goodness in such a great way that I would not trade it for a 'normal life'. He often lets the Egyptian army nip at our heels so we have a deeper appreciation for the Red Sea he parts for us.

"Thank you all for the prayers you have offered in my behalf and the notes you have sent. The covenant community is a great tool God has to lift our heads and hands up." --Joe Shore